CHRISTIANITY and Islam are missionary faiths. They believe they have the truth -- and they are unselfish enough to want to share it with the rest of the planet.
From time to time that process involves commenting on the truths of others. Commenting. Arguing. Perhaps even debating. But certainly not fighting, killing or rioting.
Confused? Here's a brief history lesson.
Centuries ago a Spanish surgeon and cleric named Sheik Musa bin Maymoun al-Qurtubi wrote a book in Arabic called Guide to the Perplexed.
He compared Judaism to Christianity and Islam. His conclusion was simple. Judaism is far superior to both.
The sheik wasn't subject to death threats. Spanish Jews weren't attacked and murdered. The book wasn't burnt. There was no violence in the streets of Spanish cities.
The Muslim rulers of Spain wouldn't tolerate that sort of uncivilised behaviour. The sheik's book was read and admired. It was also criticised. People criticised the arguments. They didn't criticise the Sheik.
When the sheik moved to Egypt a Kurdish general named Saladin was so impressed with the sheik he was appointed chief medical officer of Saladin's army. Together, the sheik and Saladin conquered and liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders.
Centuries later Spain was re-conquered by Catholic armies. Only then were the sheik's books burnt.
The sheik was Jewish. His European name was Maimonides, universally respected by Jews and Muslims as perhaps the greatest Arab physician of his time.
Today, the tables have turned. Muslim rulers are not just tolerating but orchestrating Muslim mobs to behave like Spanish Catholics did centuries ago. And all in response to an innocent speech by the religious leader of another community.
Seriously, if the Pope wants to say or write anything about my faith, it is no skin off my spiritual nose. If Muslims aren't strong enough to take a little criticism of their faith, you have to wonder about how strong their faith in their religion really is.
If it's the case (and I don't believe it is) that the Pope says Islam was spread using violence, why use violence to confirm his argument? Why not just ask the Pontiff some simple questions? Questions like: Which Muslim ruler murdered six million Jews? On which Japanese city have Muslims dropped an atomic bomb?
Thankfully Aussie Muslims are, by and large, disgusted by what they see some infantile Muslims doing overseas.
I believe Islam, Christianity and Judaism were first divinely cooked up in Abraham's spiritual kitchen. If some Muslims can't stand the heat, they should find another kitchen. If they can't practise the restraint of their ancestors, they should consider finding another religion.
(First published in the Daily Telegraph on 19 September 2006)
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